By Cassidy Reaney
AgriNews Contributor

The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo is back after being cancelled the last two years due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Although Kawartha Lakes was extremely excited to host this event in 2020 and 2021, they will have another opportunity to do so in 2024!

This year, the 103rd International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will be held at the Kemptville Campus on Sept. 20-24, and will be hosted by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and the North Grenville Municipality. The local board has been hard at work since January 2021 to create an unforgettable experience for the IPM’s return to Eastern Ontario since the last match which took place in Finch in 2015.

Local chair Harry Bennett says, “I’m involved in the IPM 2022 because I’ve always been involved in community activities that are related to agriculture. I was very honoured to be asked to be the Local Chair and I agreed to take it as it is a chance of a lifetime for me. It’s a very busy position but I have a good team of directors working with me and I know the IPM will be successful. I’m a 1981 grad of Kemptville College so there’s some sentimental value to me to be holding the IPM on the former Kemptville College land,” when asked as to why he is involved with the Local Match.

The 2022 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will be taking place on approximately 350 acres donated by the Kemptville Campus and Municipality for the famous Tented City and RV Park, as well as on 150 acres along Hwy 43 at the Bennett Farm where the plowing competition will be taking place. Some of the parking will be situated on the Semex grounds across from the Tented City site.

This year’s IPM will be a sentimental event for many folks, as this will be a reunion for many alumni who attended Kemptville College during the years when it was an active college for thousands of students who wished to pursue agriculture and trades in rural Eastern Ontario. Many of the committee members are Kemptville Alumni who are very excited to be hosting returning graduates, attendees and staff on campus to enjoy this historical event for Leeds and Grenville.

The local committee has been hard at work, and its members are also very excited to announce some of the entertainment anticipated for this year! The IPM will be hosting the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, The SkyHawks,  which is a team of extremely talented parachuters who put on an amazing display for the crowds below! Attendees will also be able to watch the very popular Ram Rodeo, which will feature cowboys and cowgirls from all over Eastern Canada who will be competing during the five day celebration in the Tented City. If you are a fan of rodeo or the musical ride, you will also be pleased to hear that the Canadian Cowgirls will be making an appearance again this year!

The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will be welcoming over 40 live entertainment acts throughout each of the five days. The IPM will have three main stages: The Lounge, The RV Park Stage and The Grenville Mutual Stage. Some exciting acts this year are: MudMen, Ambush (sponsored by 1000 Island RVs), DW James and the Derringer, local band Eddie and the Stingrays, Freddy Vinette and the Rhinestone Plowboys, Buckledown, Wayne Rostad, Daisy Train, Nelson Colt and many, many more! The entertainment committee has selected a variety of artists and acts in hopes that there will be something for everyone!

For more information about the 2022 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo visit plowingmatch.org/ipm2022 where you can find information on how to volunteer, how to book your RV or camp site, beautification competition application forms, and what the local committee is up to.

Important Dates

  • August 15: beautification competition application deadline
  • August 19-20: “Home on the Farm Quilt Show and British Tea Room”
  • September 11: Volunteer Orientation Day, taking place at the Kemptville Campus
  • September 18: Worship Service, at the Kemptville Campus
  • September 20-24: IPM 2022